Vacuum container



Feb. 13, 1934. H. w. MUHLEISEN VACUUM CONTAINER Filed 001:. 5, 1951' gwuwntoz (1H0: ncq

" vided.

Patented Feb. 13, 19 34 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES Application October 5, 1931.

6 Claims.

My invention relates to containers, and more particularly to such containers adapted to be placed under vacuum conditions, after said containers have been once opened, so that the materials within said containers may not only be prevented from deteriorating under atmospheric conditions, but their natural aroma preserved. It will be understood, of course, that my invention in its broader aspects is not to be limited to closed containers after they have been opened, but may also be applied to containers before they are opened.

' It accordingly is an object of my invention to provide a novel form of container having associated therewith in any manner in practice preferred a manually operated suction device, either permanently or detachably associated with said container, whereby said container may be placed under vacuum conditions, means being also provided for breaking said conditions. 7

Further objects and advantages of my invention, as will hereinafter more fully appear, I attain by the construction described in the specification and illustrated on the drawing, forming a part of my application.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which similar reference characters denote similar parts. In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a container or vessel provided with my invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken on the line 22, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the suction device in elevated position,

Fig. 3 is a similar View, in fragmentary form, but showing the suction device depressed,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 1, disclos ing more particularly the vacuum breaking means, a

Fig. 5 is a still further enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view, illustrating a clamping means which may be used for holding down the cover or closure of a container, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a modified form of closure where no clamping means is employed.

Describing my invention more in detail, in the broader aspects said invention comprises a novel means for maintaining vacuum conditions within a container or vessel of any preferred kind, consisting of a suction device constructed of any preferred material, and of suitable configuration, said device being adapted to be operated by any preferred manual means, such as a hollow plunger, the movement of which may be "opposed by a suitable resilient means, such as a helical spring, any preferred form of valve means for causing said suction device to function being pro- If desired, also, any means for breaking Serial No. 566,901

the said vacuum conditions, such as any preferred-form of valve, manually operated, if preferred, may be provided.

More specifically, my invention comprises a suitable container or vessel 2, which is adapted to house any preferred material, such as coffee, cereal, or the like, the freshness and aroma thereof to be preserved, and my novel mechanism may be associated with any desired portion of said container, which, in the present instance is shown as associated with the cover or closure thereof.

The usual containers, heretofore known, have their contents usually placed under vacuum conditions, but when once opened, as in the case of codes, said contents when in contact with air soon deteriorate and lose their freshness and aroma. By the use of my invention these deleterious effects are effectively eliminated.

The closure or cover 4 is preferably constructed of an outer member 6 of suitable form and of any preferred material, and said member has positioned in spacedrelationtherewith an innermemher 8, and within the space 10 is positioned the suction device 12, the periphery or outer portions of which are adapted to be positionedbetween the the same portions of the members 6 and 8, and securely held by any preferred means, such as crimping, said cover or closure being provided with an outer hollow flange 14, in the hollow portion of which is positioned any preferred form of packing 16, which may be made of rubber or any. other preferred material, said packing to be engaged by the top 18 of the container 2, which top is preferably curled, although this is not essential, to provide fluid tight fit between the cover or closure 4 and said container.

If desired, any suitable clamping means 20 may be provided, to insure that the cover or closure 4 is secured tightly to the top of the container 2, although such\clamping means may be dispensed with, as seen in Fig. 6.

The clamping means 20 may consist of a container embracing member 22, engaging against flexible metal, rubber, leather or the like, and for .the purpose of operating said device, to create a suction within the container or vessel 2, an operating means 30 may be provided, which means may consist of a hollow plunger 32 adapted to be reciprocated through an opening in the outer member 6, and secured in any suitable way to the device 2, as by a flange 34, or by any other manner in practice preferred or needed.

If desired, and for the sake of rigidity and prevention of wear, as well as to insure effectiveness of operation, a pair of washers 36 may be provided, which washers, if desiredymaybe held sired, that in the present instance comprising a pair of double acting valves 40, of suitable construction, which valves are adapted to be engaged by a resilient means, such as the helical spring 42, positioned within the hollow portion of the plunger 32, said valves opening and closing in proper sequence to control the openings 44 in the outwardly bowed portion 46 respectively or that in the upper portion of the plunger 32. It will, of course, be understood that the portion 46 may take any form in practice preferred. If desired, also, a suitable gasket flange or other means 48 may be provided on the member 6 to render the closure 4 fluid tight.

To break the vacuum conditions within the container or vessel 2, any suitable means 50 may be provided, which means may be associated with the container or its closure at any place found in practice desirable.

While, of course, the means 50 may be of any suitable construction, the form more particularly shown in Fig. 4 is preferred, which means comprises a suitable hollow stem 52 adapted to be reciprocated in the opening 54, said stem having positioned therein a pin 56, upon the lower end of which is positioned a valve 58 of suitable material, such as rubber, held in place by the head 60 of the pin 56, said stem being opposed in its movement by the helical spring 62, and pressing againstan operating hand or thumb and finger piece 64, a hole 66 being provided to permit the egress of the fluid in the container 2.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified form of closure where no clamps 24 are used, the suction in the container 2 being sufiicient to hold the closure 4 in fluid tight association with said container, the structure being identical, as indicated by the reference numerals.

In operation, the closure 4 is positioned over the top of the container or vessel 2, and the clamps 24 positioned thereon as indicated in full lines in Fig. 5 more particularly, the dotted lines in said figure disclosing the non-engaging position, or said closure or cover placed as shown in Fig. 6.

The device 30 is then depressed one or more times from the position shown in Fig. 2, to that shown in Fig. 3, against the spring 42, by engaging the hand, thumb or fingers with the manual operating means 38. This action permits the air above the suction device 12 to exhaust through the opening or openings 44 at the top of the plunger 32, the upper valve 40 being opened.

Releasing the plunger 32, automatically exhausts the air from the container or vessel 2, the double acting valves 40 functioning for this purpose. Depending upon the size of the container or vessel 2, sufficient vacuum conditions may be placed therein, by depressing the plunger 32 as often as needed. Pressing upon the top 64 of the valve means 50, against the spring 66, vacuum conditions in the container 2 may be broken by opening the valve 58 and permitting exhaust through the opening or openings 62.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vacuum container, a plunger therefor, plunger means external of said cover for placing said container under vacuum conditions, means extending through said plunger means and into said cover for opposing the movement of said plunger means, manual means for operating said plunger means, and means for breaking said vacuum conditions.

2. In a vacuum container, suction means for placing said container under vacuum conditions, plunger means directly connected to said suction means for operating said suction means, manual means for actuating said plunger means, resilient means in said plunger means for opposing the movement of each of said means, and a release valve for breaking said vacuum conditions.

3. In a vacuum container, a flexible device for placing said container under vacuum conditions, a hollow plunger for operating said device, valve means for causing said device to function, resilient means for opposing the movement of said device, said plunger and said valves, and a valve for breaking said vacuum conditions.

4. In a vacuum container, a flexible member anchored at its outer portions, said member being adapted to be moved transversely with respect to said container, manual means at substantially the mid point of said member for operating 0 said member, means opposing the movement of both said member and said manual means, and means for breaking said vacuum conditions.

5. A closure for a vacuum container comprising a hollow enclosed fluid tight structure consisting of outer and inner members provided with a space therebetween, a suction device in said space and anchored between said members, a hollow plunger anchored to said suction device and adapted to be reciprocated through an opening in said outer member, spring means associated with said inner member and extending into said hollow plunger, valve means in said plunger and associated with said inner member, and manual means for actuating said plunger to operate said device.

6. A suction device comprising a pair of spaced members, a suction member enclosed by said members and anchored thereto, hollow manual means slidable through one of said members for operating said suction member, and resilient means in said hollow manual means, and abutting said other member, for opposing the movement of said manual means.

HENRY W. MUHLEISEN. 

